Chapter 12
TWELVE
The servants are bustling around the House Rothorne rooms as they prepare for Linc's arrival. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the fact we're having a family dinner with him, especially as there's a part of me that worries this is going to be a disaster.
The bell signalling the front door has opened goes off, and I get to my feet so quickly it feels like all my blood rushes to my head. I'm going to have to be more careful about that.
The rest of my family are much more relaxed as they get up in time for one of the servants to step inside with Linc behind him wearing a smart suit that makes him look very dashing, but nowhere near as good as when he's in the library with his cravat loosened and his hair sticking up from running his hand through it.
I try to banish the thoughts from my mind so I can focus on the situation at hand rather than the one my mind is creating.
"Your Highness," Lord Fallmartin says with a stiff bow. "It is an honour to have you in our home."
"It's an honour to be here, Lord Fallmartin."
"I don't know if you've had the opportunity to meet Lord and Lady Vermouten before," my father says, gesturing to Thomas and Bella.
Bastian scowls, even though it makes perfect sense that they're being introduced first. Bastian is just Lord Fallmartin's heir, whereas Thomas is the head of his own House.
"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," Linc responds, holding out his hand for Thomas to shake, and dipping his head to Bella.
"And my son and heir, Lord Bastian," Lord Fallmartin says, moving him on.
Linc winces as Bastian takes his hand, and I'm sure it's because Bastian is squeezing tighter than he should. I want to tell him to stop, but I know that's not right for the current situation.
"And of course, you know my daughter, Lady Beatrice."
"I do." Linc takes my hand in his and lifts it to his lips. I suck in a breath even at the small touch. It's strange for him to greet me in front of my family, but I have to admit I kind of like it.
Lord Fallmartin smiles at me in a way that suggests he's proud, when all I've done is let Linc kiss my hand.
"We should go through to the dining room," my father says, gesturing behind him.
Linc offers me his arm and I slip mine through it, resting my hand on his sleeve. I have to admit, this is different than the dinner which introduced Bastian to Lady Ermintrude. Perhaps that's why my brother is glaring at me so much.
"How did I do?" Linc murmurs.
"Was there much that could go wrong?"
"I suppose I could have been too familiar. Though given the expression on your brother's face, that might still be the case." He nods over to where Bastian is looking at us.
"Ignore him," I advise. Though knowing Bastian, that's going to be easier said than done.
The dining room is set up like normal, except for Eliza's place setting has been returned. It takes a moment for me to realise that it isn't because my cousin is joining us, but because that's where Lord Fallmartin has seated Linc.
At least he's going to be next to me.
Bastian drops himself into his seat at the bottom of the table, still glaring at Linc.
"Will you stop it?" I murmur to him as I sit down.
"I don't like him."
"You don't know him," I counter.
"And you do?"
"Yes," I respond firmly.
His surprise shows on his face, but he isn't given a chance to say anything before the servants appear to fill up everyone's wine.
Linc grows pale as he watches and I slip my hand under the table in a clear breach of dinner party etiquette to touch him and let him know I understand.
I wish I'd thought to talk to the kitchens about the situation in advance so they could have served something else.
Then again, it's probably best that none of them know about Linc's situation.
It feels like the kind of thing that could get around the castle very quickly.
"A toast," Lord Fallmartin says. "To the future of House Rothorne and House Soveguine." He lifts his wine glass up, encouraging us all to do the same.
"Just pretend," I whisper to Linc.
He nods and picks up his glass, his hand shaking as he does. I wish I could make this easier for him. "To our future." He lifts his glass to Lord Fallmartin, and then to me.
I smile at him in what I hope is a reassuring manner, but I fear it's not enough. At least until he pretends to take a sip and puts down the glass without touching a drop.
I echo the toast, while Bella and Thomas do the same on the other side of the table, and Bastian continues to do whatever it is that he's doing. It seems suspiciously like he's just trying to be unhappy about everything.
"I'm surprised that Pip hasn't joined us," Linc says.
"She does for breakfast and informal lunches," I respond.
"She shouldn't be in the dining room at all," Bastian scolds.
"I don't see a problem with it." Linc picks up his wine glass without thinking.
I clear my throat and he realises what he's done, putting it back down. His expression falls for a moment, but then he nods and turns his attention to his napkin instead.
"Pip is a lovely dog, I can see why Beatrice would want a companion like her," Linc says.
Bastian scowls, not having noticed the minute exchange between us.
"I enjoy having Pip at breakfast," Thomas says, piping in. "She reminds me of the dogs that live at Vermouten Castle."
"I didn't realise you had dogs," I respond, leaning back so a servant can place my meal down in front of me.
"I don't myself," Thomas responds. "They belong to some of the farmers who tend the land there. Though I suspect Pip is a little more spoiled than those dogs."
"She's been my companion for years," I say. "I'm so glad I was able to bring her with me on the Golden Moon."
To my surprise, Lord Fallmartin nods. "I would never have expected you to leave a pet behind, Beatrice."
I freeze in place, letting the words process for a moment. I want to ask him if they're true, but I know the answer to that. Lord Fallmartin has nothing to gain from saying them if they aren't, and could easily have stayed silent.
I look at my brother, who does everything he can to avoid my gaze.
He made the decision that I wasn't to bring Pip.
A whole torrent of emotions swirl around within me at the realisation, and I'm not really sure what to do about it.
Bastian was so against me bringing Pip, it's hard to know that the reason was of his own making and not from some instruction Lord Fallmartin gave him.
I clear my throat, and attempt to make sure my feelings are hidden, though I'm sure Linc has already worked out that I'm on edge from the revelation. "I'm grateful for the welcome we've both had here."
"I didn't realise you'd had a chance to meet Pip, Your Highness," Bella says.
"Oh." Linc looks at me.
I give him a reassuring smile. "We've gone on a few walks together." They don't need to know about how comfortable Pip is with him. Or the time she curled up on his knee in the private room of the library. "Perhaps we could go on one once we've finished dinner?"
"I'd like that," Linc responds.
Bastian scoffs. "I hardly think that's proper."
Bella rolls her eyes and leans back in her seat. "What harm can it do? They're already betrothed and the entire court knows about it. And even if they weren't, it wouldn't matter."
"Perhaps if you spent more time getting to know your future wife, you might not be so against your marriage," Lord Fallmartin says.
I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing, though I have to admit to being surprised that Lord Fallmartin has said as much in front of Linc.
Bastian purses his lips, but manages to hold his tongue. I'm certain he wouldn't have if either Bella or I had said the same as Lord Fallmartin did, but luckily, he's the one who put him in his place this time.
Hopefully, it will make him think twice before he does it again, but somehow, I don't think so.